Private vs Dealer Purchase - a new twist?

Private vs Dealer Purchase - a new twist?

Author
Discussion

M15ley

Original Poster:

467 posts

276 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
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I've come across a few of these arguments recently but I want to ask peoples opinion on a slightly different tack. I've seen a private Cerbie which appears (to me) to be pretty spot on but I'm new to this lark and a bit nervous. If I point my dealer in the right direction will he go buy it, check it over and ideally give it a warranty if there is maybe a couple of grand in it for him?.........any takers?

MikeyT

16,930 posts

278 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
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Nice idea if a bit expensive. He'll give it a check over for a ot less than that and then why not get a thid party warranty yourself independently?

Two grand is a lot of money. Why not just buy one from a dealer in the first place if you have money to burn!!

TVR owner one day

steelnads

171 posts

280 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
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Phone the AA to arrange an inspection but specify an engineer that has experience in TVRs. It is possible.

Dave_H

996 posts

290 months

Tuesday 13th November 2001
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If, the dealer knows his stuff, and can spot a good car when he sees one, and the one he's just inspected has no potential faults or outstanding problems, then I'd say such dealer would look at it as a quick way to make some easy money.

Not sure about how the same dealer would want to indorce a warranty on his findings as you (the consumer) would have so much to fall back on - not good in the dealers point of view.

Have you had a chat to your dealer yet about this?, they might take a view to inspect the private sale and give you a price that they would be prepared to sell it to you for with warranty etc.

MikeE

1,850 posts

291 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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From my experience of trying to sell my 10 month old Tuscan, on a Sale or Return basis, at a couple of dealers they want to take £4K-£5k themselves - and mine is a good car with no faults and it's still got 14 months warrantee on the engine/gearbox and 2 months on the rest! (with the option of extending for a further £600).

Problem is people seem to want to buy through a dealer only. So I would loose out by a couple of £K and they pay over MY asking price by £2K-£3K - can't understand it really but there you go....

Mike.

Stig

11,822 posts

291 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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quote:
Problem is people seem to want to buy through a dealer only. So I would loose out by a couple of £K and they pay over MY asking price by £2K-£3K - can't understand it really but there you go....

Mike.



Never underestimate the power of paranoia! For some inexplicable reason, people think that buying from a dealer gives them some guarantee. What sort of guarantee? If it breaks and it isn't covered by your warranty then you're gonna have to pay - dealer or private. The dealer will probably be very apologetic and you may get a nice cup of coffee, but that's about it. If you bought privately and built a relationship with your dealer by always servicing it with them (a few beers in the mechanics direction will get you more service than you'd EVER believe!) you'd get treated just as well. Add the beers and I guarantee you'll fare even better.


www.locost-racing.com

Car No. 13

gb61390

1,879 posts

289 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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I know what you mean! I've got a Tamora coming before Christmas so need to sell my Chimaera(97P). The dealer's already given me a price and openly admitted that he'll then try and sell it for £6K more. They'll spend some money on the cosmetics, check the car over mechanically and provide a warranty. The rest will be profit. And this is all on a car originally bought and always serviced by the same dealer!
I'll try and sell it privately and will probably be happy with anything more than the dealer's offering. It's just that people seem to be more reassured with handing over large sums of cash to dealers than private sellers! I know, I did! Good luck.......

M15ley

Original Poster:

467 posts

276 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
quotequote all
I think I might just take the plunge and buy it privately. I've done lots of home work and seen receipts, contacted the dealers who have serviced them and spoken to the previous owner and all in all it's come out ok.

Can I buy a decent warranty myself that will allow me to get a proper dealer to repair it if anything does go wrong??

andyr

374 posts

291 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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Buy from Warrenty Holdings (the one everyone gets) and the dealer makes the claim on your behalf (normally). Covers most things other than wear and tear.

edward

5,132 posts

291 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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quote:

I think I might just take the plunge and buy it privately...


why don't you hire Steve's considerable experience (Thames Valley Racing, Hurst)for the afternoon & drive him to see your car-to-be (or get the owner to take the car to him if the deals looking promising - if they say 'no chance' it might make you think!) Did this with 500s & have one now - and it's been a solid car.
Ed

M15ley

Original Poster:

467 posts

276 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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Good idea, but I'm up North, wondering if Joolz might do the same now he has set up on his own!!

Finston

107 posts

277 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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Joolz looked at my Griff 500 before I bought it, He is a top bloke, Try him.

MikeyT

16,930 posts

278 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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From what's been said on various threads on this site Joolz is the man for Cerbies ... he's in Chesterfield which is a bit north ... depends where you are ... but it's certainly worth investing a few hundred or whatever it takes to get him to view if he can. Good luck!

TVR owner one day

vince n

39 posts

277 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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I have been looking for a chim for ages and have finally bought one. A 98 450 I pick up on Saturday. I did buy from a dealer and the price I thought was very good. You can find dealer cars at a good price if you are prepaired to take time and look.
I can't wait for Saturday.

M15ley

Original Poster:

467 posts

276 months

Wednesday 14th November 2001
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Hope you have fun on Saturday and I hope I'm not far behind you!!

mhibbins

14,055 posts

286 months

Friday 16th November 2001
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quote:
If you bought privately and built a relationship with your dealer by always servicing it with them (a few beers in the mechanics direction will get you more service than you'd EVER believe!) you'd get treated just as well. Add the beers and I guarantee you'll fare even better.
Maybe even better as if you continually service the car at the place you bought it they will be more likely (at least initially) to be defensive about any faults the car has whereas if you buy privately and then service it somewhere you'll probably get more of an honest appraisal of your purchase as you progress from service to service.

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Mark